ELYRIA — A veteran Elyria police officer has been suspended with pay following his Sept. 29 arrest for domestic violence.

Patrolman Scott Willis, 52, has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge in Chardon Municipal Court.

Willis, who joined the force in 1990 after four years with the Vermilion police, is accused of pushing and hitting his wife during the altercation at his Chester Township home in Geauga County, Chester Township police Chief Mark Purchase said.

Police were called to Willis’ home about 7:30 p.m. that night after his wife, Wendy Willis, called police, Purchase said.

Willis

“It was a verbal argument that turned physical,” he said.

When officers arrived they found Wendy Willis and a daughter waiting in the driveway. Wendy Willis told officers that Scott Willis had pushed and hit her, and she had visible bruises on her body, Purchase said.

Scott Willis was taken into custody without resistance, Purchase said, adding that his status as a police officer was not mentioned in the report.

Elyria police Chief Mike Medders said Willis will remain on administrative leave from his approximately $50,000-a-year job until the court case is resolved. If convicted, Willis could receive up to six months in jail.

Medders declined further comment, and Willis hung up when reached by phone.

According to Willis’ personnel file, he has had mostly positive reviews during his career with the department, which included a stint as a detective and evidence technician from 2000 through 2006.

But Willis has had some complaints against him over the years, mostly from coworkers and supervisors who had problems with his attitude, according to disciplinary records.

Most recently, he was reprimanded for conduct unbecoming an officer during an Aug. 30, 2007, roll call meeting that had to be stopped after Willis grew upset.

The report on the incident noted that there had been other problems with Willis complaining about job assignments.

But Willis’ attitude had improved since he was reprimanded, according to his December 2007 performance review.

Contact Brad Dicken at 329-7147 or bdicken@chroniclet.com.

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